2003 Saturn Vue problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train:automatic Transmission (180) · Power Train (79) · Electrical System (33)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Saturn Vue model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
481 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Electrical System:ignition 2014-08-08 · campaign 14V490000 · 202,155 vehicles
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2002-2004 Saturn Vue vehicles manufactured September 11, 2001, to April 6, 2004. In the affected vehicles, it may be possible for the key to be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.
Risk: If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission, if the parking brake is not engaged and the transmission is not in the "Reverse" position. This potential for rollaway increases the risk for a crash and occup
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle to see if the key can be pulled out when the ignition is off. If it can, dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and keys, free of charge. The recall began in October 2014. Owners may contact Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 14506. Note: Until a vehicle has been remedied, owners and operators are advised that when exiting, to be sure that the vehicle is in "Park," or in the case of a manu
Service bulletins (508)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2025-07-18 · PIP5601C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from tac.
Unknown Or Other 2025-03-28 · 23-NA-001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on onstar module 2g sunset information.
Unknown Or Other 2025-02-20 · PIP5358D · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. technician should get record a sound clip or take a video of the noise for assessment by engineering. technician will need to
Electrical System 2024-10-25 · PIP4723J · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the tire pressure monitor, active fuel injector tester, multi media tester, pico scope, gr8 starting/charging tester and vehicle data recorder tools, giving website address and ste
Unknown Or Other 2024-09-12 · PIT5099H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the heater-vent-air conditioning blows warm air. before calling general motors technical assistance center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and ven
Unknown Or Other 2024-09-12 · PIT5099H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the heater-vent-air conditioning blows warm air. before calling general motors technical assistance center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and ven
Showing the 6 most recent of 508 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-09-02 · Power Train“this is more information related to complaint 11761129: after online researching of other '03 2.2l saturn vue-owners stalling experiences, it appears that this vehicle has a long history of others like me: an unsafe, unpredictable stalling problem which carries no warnings or logging of error codes to trace the true origin of problem. (how much di…”
2026-08-31 · Power Train“car stalled while driving in traffic xxx. engine died. warning lights on. restarted. stalled 3 more times in traffic but luckily had space to pull off & engine restarted. made it into my garage. restarted, check engine light was on, but went off after time. car would not move in gear. retried several times. presently (xxx) will crank but won't sta…”
2026-07-14 · Electrical System · 79,000 mi“the contact owns a 2003 saturn vue. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 14v490000 (electrical system). the vehicle was taken to the dealer, who performed the recall repair; however, the new ignition keys provided under the remedy failed to start the vehicle. the contact had to use the old key to start the vehicle. additional…”
2025-12-09 · Unknown Or Other“2003 saturn vue ignition switch. the switch was replaced under a recall with a switch that has the same defect; the key can be removed while the vehicle is in operation. the dealers refuse to replace it saying the car had the recall completed. they do not acknowledge the replacement has the same problem as the original. i feel they are req…”
2025-02-26 · Power Train · 110,000 mi · 🔥 fire“the contact purchased a 2003 saturn vue. the contact stated that two days after purchasing the used vehicle, the vehicle was taken to autozone, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. the contact stated while driving 45-50 mph, the contact noticed smoke coming from underneath the hood and from the gas tank location. a service warning ligh…”
2022-08-23 · Fuel/Propulsion System“while driving the engine lights kept coming on, so we decided to get it checked by a mechanic and he told us that we have a faulty fuel tank pressure sensor and that the imrc actuator valve is not working at all.…”
2022-04-18 · Electrical System“october 12, 2020 ig burton stated the recall was complete, given original keys. i went to willis chevrolet & buick recall was completed on april 15, 2022, new keys were issued.…”
2021-05-20 · Power Train“knocking/grinding noise from under vehicle and shift problems. taken to automotive service provider for diagnostic and they're evaluation revealed internal fail in the cvt vti transmission. …”
2021-04-25 · Suspension · 157,233 mi“both of my rear tires are leaning in and looks like the camber bolts have broken off and could really cause a bad accident even death if i didn't see it. i travel 1800mi a week and just had a blow out because tires wore so bad and they are only a year old.…”
2021-01-12 · Visibility/Wiper · 150,000 mi“when my horn fuse in my horn is non stop blaring also my front wipers fuse in good and my wipes are not working…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.